Toyota 2007 Annual Report Download - page 70

68 ANNUAL REPORT 2007
Toyota celebrated 50 years in motorsports in 2007. Over the years, Toyota has taken
on many types of motorsports to give more people a sense of the limitless potential
and thrill that cars offer. And, we will continue playing an active part in motorsports.
In 2007, Toyota is concentrating on the cream of motorsports, racing in such events
as the Formula One World Championship (F1), NASCAR* in the United States, and
the SUPER GT Series in Japan. At the same time, we will foster the talents of promis-
ing drivers.
In F1, we faced a tough season in 2006. Although we achieved a podium placing,
we were unable to surpass our performance of the previous year. For 2007, our sixth
F1 season, we unveiled a new-model F1 car, the TF107, featuring a newly developed
V8 engine and a completely new layout with revamped aerodynamic performance
and weight distribution. We are using the same drivers as last season—Ralf
Schumacher and Jarno Trulli—because of their solid track records. And, we have
reinforced the senior management team responsible for technological development.
Further, we supply engines to Williams, a testament to the high evaluation of our
engine technology.
In NASCAR, 2006 was our third year of competition, and in the NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series the Toyota Tundra took 12 wins and the manufacturers’ title.
Also, in 2007 we entered the Toyota Camry in the Nextel Cup Series, the pinnacle of
NASCAR racing, and in the Busch Series.
In Japan, we continue to back six teams competing in the elite SUPER GT Series.
Also, we hope to win a title using the Lexus SC430 for all GT500-class cars. Further,
we will keep supplying engines for 14 cars raced by seven teams in Japan’s most
prestigious formula car category, Formula Nippon.
Meanwhile, we continue fostering racing drivers capable of competing at the
highest levels of motorsports around the world through the Toyota Young Drivers
Program. Under this training program, we scout highly motivated, talented
individuals and, in line with their ability, help them hone their skills and move up the
motorsports ladder by giving them a wide range of chances to take part in races and
F1 trials.
* NASCAR is the common name for the stock car races administered over by the National Association
for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), the largest motorsports organization in the United States.
Converted four-wheel commercially available vehicles known as stock cars race mainly in North America.
Motorsports
Fuji Speedway to Host the 2007 Japanese F1 Grand Prix
The Japanese F1 Grand Prix will be held at Fuji Speedway in September 2007. Fuji International
Speedway Co., Ltd., began operations in 1966. In the four decades since then, Fuji Speedway
has staged many international and domestic races as one of only a handful of ultrahigh-speed
circuits in the world. Our involvement in management began in 2000. In 2005, we completed a
comprehensive renovation that has accentuated the circuit’s signature long straight and raised
the level of technical difficulty of the second half of the track by transforming its layout. Having
been the venue for the initial two F1 Grand Prix in Japan in 1976 and 1977, Fuji Speedway will
host an F1 race for the first time in 30 years.
Fuji Speedway to Host the 2007 Japanese F1 Grand Prix